REFERENCE DOCUMENT FOR GTA OBSERVATIONS

Department of English -- UPRM

Name: _Nelson Nazario

Class: __English 3102________________

Observer: Ellen Pratt____________________ Date: __September 17, 2014___

Number of students: ______30_____ Time Class Started 8:28 _ Time Class Ended: ___________
Directions: Respond to each of the following statements with one of the following:
Y= Observed Behavior, N= Not Observed Behavior, NA= Not Applicable.
Add comments to clarify, expand, or explain.
Y, N, or NA
Statements
Comments
Organization
Y
1. Took class attendance.
2. Was well prepared for the class.
Y
PPT already set up and ready to go
3. Stated the purpose and objectives of the Y
Told them what they would be doingin class
class session.
today
4. Presented a brief preliminary overview Y
Used PPT to introduce making connections
of the content.
in the writing
5. Made explicit the relationship between N/A
I think this was a new topic.
today's and the previous class session.
6. Defined new terms, concepts and
Y
Explained what making connections means
principles.
and what genre is
7. Summarized main points.
Y
8. Identified what s/he considered
Y
Understanding your relationship to the text
important.
will help your comprehension of it.
9. Utilized a variety of instructional
y
Basically large group with students
strategies during the class session.
answering individually.
Content and Clarity
Y
Introduction to material and then individual
10. Arranged and discussed the content in a
practice.
systematic and organized fashion.
11. Asked questions periodically.
y
Later, not so much during the presentation
12. Presented clear and simple examples to Y
Yes, good models for them to think about
clarify very abstract and difficult ideas.
when coming up with their own.
13. Used alternate explanations when
Y
Gave lots of good examples.
necessary.
14. Explicitly stated the relationships
Y
Explained the text to self, text, to text, and
among various ideas.
text to world in relation to each other.
15. Periodically summarized the most
important ideas.
16. Slowed the word flow when ideas were N
You talk fast! It may simply be because I
complex and difficult.
was in the class, but if you do talk at this rate
you should slow down a bit
17. Related the day's material to upcoming Y
Talked about the next class and the reading
sessions.
and how they would need to apply what they
did in class today to the next assignment.

Media Usage
18. Writing on board/overhead/slides was
legible.
19. Information presented on
board/overhead/slides was organized
and easy to follow.
20. The AV-materials used added to the
students' comprehension of the
concept(s) being taught.
21. The AV-materials were handled
competently (e.g., the instructor did not walk

Good well positioned visuals. Good size

font.

Y
Y

It would be nice if they had a copy of the

PPT. It has useful information on it that they
could use for the next assignment.

in front of the image for overhead or slide

projector; the instructor spoke to the class, not
the screen or board; etc.).

Questions
22. Asked questions to see what the
students knew about the topic.
23. Addressed questions to individual
students as well as the group at large.
24. Used questions to gain students'
attention.
25. Paused after all questions to allow
students time to think of an answer.
Questions (continued)
26. Asked probing questions if a student's
answer was incomplete or superficial.

27. Repeated answers when necessary so

the entire class could hear.
28. Received student questions politely and
enthusiastically.
Interaction
29. Addressed students by name.
30. Praised students for good ideas.
31. Established and maintained extensive
eye contact with the class.
32. Listened carefully to student comments
and questions.
33. Provided appropriate feedback.

34. Noted and responded to signs of

puzzlement, boredom, curiosity, etc.
35. Encouraged student questions,
comments, and discussion.
36. Tolerant of other viewpoints.
37. Displayed interest and concern for
his/her quality of teaching.
38. Talked with students after class.

N/A

Yes, what movies would be examples of

this?
What songs?

Y
Y

Hey guys so what do you think of this?

Y, N, or NA

Comments
If they did not respond, he went back to ask
another question or raised his voice a bit to
emphasize he needed more answers
Good

Y
Y
Y
Y

Yes, good.
Good presence in front of the class

Lots of good feedback to students on their

examples

Asked for them to give examples of movies,

songs or other world connections

Y
Y

Before and after class

Delivery and Style

39. Voice could be easily heard.
40. Voice was raised or lowered for variety
and emphasis.
41. Speech was neither too formal nor too
casual.
42. Rate of speech was neither too fast nor
too slow.
43. Varied the pace of the class to keep
students alert.
44. Spoke at a rate which allowed students
time to take notes.

45. Spoke in English with the students.

Nice loud voice

Y
Y
N

In the beginning you were to fast in your

explanation of the connections.

Again, too fast in the beginning. Later you

slowed down, but for the presentation of the
material you went too fast.
Execllent use of English and in ways of
responding to students when they spoke in
Spanish, and in helping students find the
correct word to use in English.

Rapport, and Enthusiasm

Y
46. Spoke expressively or emphatically.
47. Used appropriate body movement,
Y
gestures, and facial expressions.
48. Extemporaneous delivery of material.
Y
49. Displayed respect for the students.
Y
50. Was friendly with students, and easy to Y
talk to.
51. Used humor at appropriate times.
Y
52. Students were free to interrupt at any
Y
time.
53. Provided a warm classroom
Y
Excellent rapport with students. Comfortable
environment.
atmosphere.
54. Displayed confidence in self and what
Y
Good teaching presence
s/he was doing.
Additional Comments: See running setoff notes to go with this

* Adapted by Gayle Griggs from material in Improving Your Lectures from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign;
and from Teachers and Students, Center of Teaching Effectiveness at the University of Texas at Austin.